Swimming cap



June 16, 1942. N. c. SHEFFIELD ETAL 2,286,652

SWIMMING CAP Filed April 18, 1940 INVENTORS 1A%T0RNEY mew 2W Patented June 16, 1942 azsaesz TENT ome SWIMMING CAP Nita 0. Sheffield, Brooklyn, N. Y., Frances A. Greenwood, University, Ala., and Lyba Mackie,

San Francisco, Calif.

Application April 18, 1940, Serial No. 330,280

1 Claim.

This invention relates to swim caps.

Swim caps now in the market are subject to the objection that they do not fully prevent seepage of water into the cap, the result being that the hair of the wearer becomes wet. An object of this invention is a swim cap which provides an effective seal between it and the head of its wearer to prevent inflow of water into contact with the wearers hair.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 illustrates a cap embodying the invention in posit-ion on the head;

Fig. 2 is a section through the cap in the form assumed by it when being worn;

Fig. 3 is a similar section of the cap removed from the head;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a rear view.

The body I0 of the cap is made of light weight rubber. Sufficient depth is provided from the top of the cap to its edge, the depth .of the cap from its top to the edge exceeding that which has heretofore been customary in swimming caps. Also, the body of the cap is provided with greater fullness through the top thereof than heretofore and is formed with a decided tapering toward and along the lower edge throughout its entire circumference. As illustrated in full lines in Fig. 3 and in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the bottom edge of the cap has to be stretched in order to assume its proper position when being worn. This insures snug fit of the edge along the wearers skin. Also, as is apparent from Figs. 2 and 3, sufficient fullness is allowed in the upper portion of the cap to provide a snug fit without spreading the cap out of shape. The edge of the cap, therefore, tends to fit the head snugly and the material of the cap between the top and edge is not subject to strain as heretofore, which has tended to separate the edge from close contact with the wearers head. A reinforcing strip II of rubber or other suitable elastic material is arranged at the edge of the cap along its inner surface and tends to promote close contact between the edge of the cap and the wearers head.

The edge of the cap is shaped to cover the ears and to lie low on the back of the wearers head. The cap may be either of the strapless type of the chin-strap type herein illustrated. If the cap is of the chin-strap type, a strap I2 is detachably connected at or near its ends to the lower edge of the cap with the points of connection lying just to the rear of the wearers ears, so that the chin strap tends to pull the edge of the cap tightly into contact with the wearers head. The point of attachment of each end of the strap I2 to the cap is just below and slightly in back of the lower tip of the ear so that the strap follows the depression in back of the jaw and passes under the chin. With this arrangement, the pull from the front and back of the cap is equalized to prevent gapping in front or in back of the ears An outer elastic strap or band I3 is supported in proper position on the cap by a series of loops I4. Preferably, there are six or eight loops, two of which are placed low on the back of the cap, one above each ear, and two on the front part of the cap. A buckle I5 is provided to permit adjustment of the band I3. This band crosses the front of the wearers head, passes above the wearers ears and around the back of the wearers head following approximately the hairline.

Within the cap is provided a band of sponge rubber or other suitable compressible material having elastic properties. This band is shaped to fit the wearers head beneath the outer strap I3 and is of greater width and thickness at the rear than in the front as is indicated in Figs. 2 and 4. The band I6 may be permanently fastened to the interior of the cap or may be completely detached therefrom. In the latter-event, the band and cap are put on separately, whereas in the former case, they are applied to the head as a unit.

When the cap is in place on the head, the edge .of the cap fits the head snugly and all gapping tendency is avoided by reason of the extra depth and width, tapering of the cap toward and along its bottom edge, as well as the low back line of the cap, previously referred to, and the reinforcing strip II. The outer band I3 compresses the inner band tightly against the head, thereby producing an effective water-tight seal. When the band I6 is not permanently attached to the cap, it need not be applied to the head and reliance may be placed on the outer strip I3 to produce the water-tight seal. However, the use of the band I6 is preferable as there is better assurance of a water-tight seal.

We claim:

A swim cap comprising a head-fitting member of sufficient depth and fullness in its upper portion to provide a snug fit without deforming its shape and having an outside taper toward and along its lower edge throughout its entire cirpart of the forehead and above the ears and low cumference, a reinforcing elastic band attached on the neck, and an elastic strip surrounding said to the inner surface of said member along its member in front relation to said band, said strip edge, a band of elastic compressible material being arranged to fit over the forehead and above within said cap having its edge conforming sub- 5 the ears and low on the neck.

stantially to the hairline, said band being wider NITA C. SHEFFIELD.

and thicker in its rear portion than in its front FRANCES A. GREENWOOD. portion and being arranged to fit over the upper LYBA MACKIE. 

